Yesterday on the 16th of December, clashes occurred between Nika Melia, leader of the United National Movement and Teimuraz Kupatadze, head of patrol police department in the village of Velistsikhe, Kakheti region (eastern part of Georgia).
The situation was very tense as they started an aggressive verbal argument, which was followed by pushing their heads against each other.

On the 16th of December, president-elect Salome Zourabichvili was inaugurated as the fifth president

of Georgia in Telavi, Kakheti region. Supporters and leaders of the United Opposition (including the United National Movement) left Tbilisi for Telavi to once again protest against the results of the November 28 presidential elections. The opposition rally was scheduled to be held in Telavi at 14:00 on the area allocated for them in the city in advance. According to Grigol Vashadze, former presidential candidate of the United Opposition, their demonstration was going to be peaceful.Leaders and supporters of the united opposition clashed with the police after they blocked access to the city of Telavi where the inauguration took place

Opposition activists clashed with the police after they blocked access to the city of Telavi. The ministry of internal affairs claimed that they had offered a longer route to protesters as well as shuttles. They also said that the protesters could have walked to Telavi.

The leaders of the protest insisted the offered route was blocked just like the others and accused the government of violating their constitutional right to freedom of movement. The opposition also claimed the authorities did not inform them about the alternative routes beforehand. One of the leaders of the United National Movement Koba Khabazi laid down on the road blocked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with trucks

Several activists of the United Opposition laid down on the road which is blocked by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with trucks. Some protesters tried to break through the police cordon and to climb on the police cars, which was not allowed by the police. As a result of the clash, the opposition could not enter Telavi.